Make Your Own Wirework Findings

Get wrapped up in creating custom wirework for your beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings with jewelry artist Lisa Niven Kelly.

Take your passion for making jewelry to the next level by learning to create your own beautiful, custom findings for wirework bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Award-winning artist Lisa Niven Kelly will entertain and encourage as she walks you through forming a wide variety of findings from ear wires to head pins and more! You’ll learn to perfect the basic loop and then build on that to create hooks, clasps and toggles that can serve as a stunning focal point for a piece. She will show you how to make coils, spirals and flowers to add interest and intricacy to the functional elements of your jewelry designs. You will learn to work in a variety of gauges and metals. Lisa shares her passion for design and will give you the confidence to create and construct your own metal masterpieces.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Introduction

Lesson 2. Wire Working Basics

Master the basics of wirework findings as Lisa demonstrates how to make loops, wire-wrapped loops, standard spirals and open spirals.

24:20

Lesson 3. Coiling and Jump Rings

Learn how to scale your wirework findings production by coiling wire to make several jump rings all at once. Lisa will show you several ways to coil wire — by hand, using a drill and around the nose of a pair of pliers.

30:59

Lesson 4. Head Pins

Head pins keep beads and stones from falling off a vertical wire, such as a dangling earring. Once you learn the basic head pin, expand your collection with several decorative head pins, including spiral, diamond, flower and cluster head pins. Finish the lesson with Lisa's discussion on designing dangling earrings.

37:09

Lesson 5. Ear Wires

Learn the basic Shepherd's Hook and how to harden and soften your wires for the perfect fit and placement. Then, add decorative elements like spirals, beads and coils.

30:43

Lesson 6. Hook Clasps

Secure your bracelets or necklaces with simple single or double hook clasps and then work your way up to a stunning double-wrapped loop hook-and-eye clasp.

22:18

Lesson 7. Toggle Clasps

Toggle clasps are functional and beautiful. They can be used to secure a bracelet or necklace or become the focal point of your jewelry.

15:47

Lesson 8. Sculptural Wire Toggles

Take your toggles from fastener to showstopper as you make amazing wire-wrapped clasps that could be the centerpiece of your creations.

19:47

Lesson 9. Oxidizing & Polishing

Add antiquing and dimension to your findings as Lisa demonstrates two different methods for oxidizing — using an HCl-based solution or liver of sulfur — then polish your pieces using a cloth or pad, or a tumbler.

"This class is a must for anyone who wants to work with wire, beginner or more experienced. Lisa teaches you the correct way to hold the pliers, position the wire and how to turn your hands. She does all this while explaining the steps in a clear and understandable voice. The positions of the cameras allows you to see what she is doing from all angles. Lisa never rushes through the steps and gives you much needed tips along the way. I wish this would have been my first lesson when I started working with wire. Lisa makes this a fun lesson while teaching you the right way to make your findings and learning the basic skills. Thank you, Lisa Niven Kelly."
- jghShirley, Arkansas

Lesson 1. Introduction

Lesson 2. Wire Working Basics

Master the basics of wirework findings as Lisa demonstrates how to make loops, wire-wrapped loops, standard spirals and open spirals.

24:20

Lesson 3. Coiling and Jump Rings

Learn how to scale your wirework findings production by coiling wire to make several jump rings all at once. Lisa will show you several ways to coil wire — by hand, using a drill and around the nose of a pair of pliers.

30:59

Lesson 4. Head Pins

Head pins keep beads and stones from falling off a vertical wire, such as a dangling earring. Once you learn the basic head pin, expand your collection with several decorative head pins, including spiral, diamond, flower and cluster head pins. Finish the lesson with Lisa's discussion on designing dangling earrings.

37:09

Lesson 5. Ear Wires

Learn the basic Shepherd's Hook and how to harden and soften your wires for the perfect fit and placement. Then, add decorative elements like spirals, beads and coils.

30:43

Lesson 6. Hook Clasps

Secure your bracelets or necklaces with simple single or double hook clasps and then work your way up to a stunning double-wrapped loop hook-and-eye clasp.

22:18

Lesson 7. Toggle Clasps

Toggle clasps are functional and beautiful. They can be used to secure a bracelet or necklace or become the focal point of your jewelry.

15:47

Lesson 8. Sculptural Wire Toggles

Take your toggles from fastener to showstopper as you make amazing wire-wrapped clasps that could be the centerpiece of your creations.

19:47

Lesson 9. Oxidizing & Polishing

Add antiquing and dimension to your findings as Lisa demonstrates two different methods for oxidizing — using an HCl-based solution or liver of sulfur — then polish your pieces using a cloth or pad, or a tumbler.

The instructor

Lisa Niven Kelly, Instructor of Make Your Own Wirework Findings

Lisa Niven Kelly is an award-winning artist and author of the best-selling book Stamped Metal Jewelry. Lisa is the founder of Beaducation.com, an online clearinghouse for streaming video jewelry-making classes and high-quality tools and supplies. She was voted “Top 10 Teacher” by the editors and readers of Bead&Button Magazine.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(34 reviews)

Super

by Ireneblom on March 26, 2015

I love this class, I'm learning so much. Thank you!

I love this class, I'm learning so much. Thank you!

Very Good!

by ernieschaefer on March 5, 2015

Some new cool techniques are presented here.

Some new cool techniques are presented here.

Wire work findings

by loribooger58 on February 28, 2015

This class has been very informative. I'm learning a lot!

This class has been very informative. I'm learning a lot!

Wire Findings

by SheriS on February 22, 2015

Love this! Lisa is an excellent teacher with clear descriptions. Have learned a great deal! Thank you, Lisa!

Love this! Lisa is an excellent teacher with clear descriptions. Have learned a great deal! Thank you, Lisa!

Great!

by queen bee jewel on January 23, 2015

I've been a bead weaver for a long time and love metals. I'm glad to have this class to teach not only basics but cool techniques too!

I've been a bead weaver for a long time and love metals. I'm glad to have this class to teach not only basics but cool techniques too!